Innovation is a word that gets thrown around a lot, but what does it really mean? At its core, true innovation isn’t just about coming up with new ideas— it’s about passion, persistence, and being willing to push past the fear that tries to hold you back. In this blog, I’m going to break down what it takes to truly innovate, and why it’s not for the faint of heart.
Step 1: Know Yourself
It all starts with knowing yourself. You need to tap into what really excites you, what you’re passionate about, and what drives you forward. If you don’t know what that is yet, spend some time exploring what you love. The things that don’t light a fire in you will fall away naturally, leaving you with the core of your passion. When you know what you love, you’ll start to see the problems in that space that need fixing.
Step 2: Dive Into the Problem
Once you’ve identified a problem in the space you’re passionate about, get ready to dive deep. Chances are, the problem is much bigger and more complex than you initially thought. You’ll uncover layers of challenges and different components you hadn’t considered before. This is where you’ll need to think outside the box. Forget what you know and be open to ideas that might seem a little crazy—this is how you’ll find solutions no one else has thought of before. You’re on the fine line between genius and madness, and that’s where true innovation happens.
Step 3: Build a Network and Make Your Vision Tangible
At some point, you have to come out of your imagination and make your vision tangible. This is where prototyping, documenting, and building a network come in. Start laying out your ideas in a way that others can see and understand, even if you don’t have much money. If you don’t have a network yet, start finding people who resonate with your vision. Remember, it’s not about convincing everyone—just the right people. And don’t be shy about putting yourself out there.
Step 4: Overcome Rejections
Here’s the truth: a million people are going to tell you no. They’re going to say you’re crazy. At first, those no’s will sting, but as you keep pushing forward, they’ll start to roll off your back. You’ll get used to rejection, and it will no longer phase you. You just have to keep going, no matter what people say, and trust that your passion will bring the right people to your side. Stay authentic, stay persistent, and keep moving forward.
Step-by-Step Recap:
- Find your spark: Know yourself and what excites you.
- Identify the problem: Dive deep and understand all its layers.
- Create a prototype: Document and make your vision tangible.
- Build your network: Find the people who believe in your idea.
- Push through the no’s: Rejection will come, but persistence wins.
What do you think? Do you have thoughts on innovation or ways you’ve overcome challenges? I’d love to hear your stories—drop them in the comments!